News

Prom Is Almost Here!

Posted by Droy5 on March 21, 2013
Posted in: Life at Como, News, Top Stories.

Once again, May is almost here, which means prom is coming soon to Como. Prom is an exciting time of year for many students, including many upperclassmen. In my interview with senior Keiron Sauer, he said “Prom was a lot of fun last year, and I’m looking forward to it again this year.”

Now, as we all know, the way you ask someone to prom can be a big factor in whether they say yes or no, there are many creative ways to do this. Not only is prom for upperclassmen, underclassmen can go if they are asked by someone who is a junior or a senior. This year’s prom is at the Dancer Studio Event Center on University Avenue on May 18th. Tickets are 35 dollars.

There is a lot that goes into the preparation of prom, both committees and teachers are involved. Last year’s prom was at the caves in downtown Saint Paul, and was a very fun experience for many students. Prom only comes around a couple times in your life, so you should take advantage of it.
Teachers join in on the fun as well, to supervise, of course, but it is also fun for them as well. In my interview with Bryce Stepan, an English teacher here at Como, he said it was fun for the teachers at well. They dress up, same as the students. “It is a lot of fun seeing the students act more mature and dress up at prom. Students act much more mature there.”

Prom is a fun event for everyone, students and teachers alike. It has been a tradition at Como since it opened in 1979. Help carry on the tradition, and make an appearance at this year’s prom!

Memories of Sergent Major Dennis Rehbein

Posted by Lingvang56 on January 17, 2013
Posted in: Life at Como, News, Top Stories.

For eighteen years, Sergent Major Dennis Rehbein has been a member of Como Park Senior High’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp.  He has played a large roll in the development in the program along side others which includes Major Foley.  Over the years, Sergent Major has become a well known and respected person here at Como by the staff and students.

Being here for eighteen years has left Sergent Major with a lot of fond memories of Como Park.  Of those memories, he recalls how happy he was when the drill team first received their drill rifles.  For many years the drill team had been without rifles for competition, so when they finally got them it brought joy to the whole group.

Not only does one develop memories, you also create bonds.  As I interviewed Sgt Major Rehbein, he told me that he would remember the kids the most.  “Even though they come and go, there will always be a special place for them,” he told me.

Sgt Major’s retirement will have a major impact on the MCJROTC program, but there won’t be any changes.  Sgt Major believes that Major Foley will be able to run it, and   the kids will be able to take care of it.  His plans after retirement are to head down to Nevada to sit at his pool and spend some time with his wife.

When Sgt Major leaves there will be a lot of people who are affected by this change, mainly the kids in the program.  Many of the students look up to him as a father figure and enjoy being around him.   Some will miss his humor, others his laughter, and his presence at JROTC competitions.

Sergent Major Rehbein has been a member of Como for a long time.  Like many others before him, he has left his mark as a great teacher here.  During my interview, I asked him if he would miss it here.  His answer was simple, yes.  He also told me that these eighteen years were so great, that it is going to hurt leaving more than it did to leave the corp.  Something that Sgt Major should know, is that he will be missed dearly by students and staff.  The school of Como Park wishes him the best in his future adventures.

“…no matter how much time passes, no matter what takes place in the interim, there are some things we can never assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away. They remain with us forever, like a touchstone.” ― Haruki Murakami

Evelin Quiceno: Como’s Visiting Student Teacher

Posted by Samara on January 11, 2013
Posted in: Life at Como, News.

This year, Como Park had the chance to host two student teachers from France and Colombia. Both of them have been teaching advanced levels of French and Spanish to Como Park students and they have seen positive reaction from both the students and staff. I spoke with Evelin Quiceno a few days ago, and I had the chance to ask her a few questions about her native Colombia and about what life has been like here in the U.S.

Although many people from Latin America who visit the US find the weather acceptable, and in rare cases enjoyable, Evelin told me that Minnesota’s cold climate has been one of the worst experiences of her stay. “I knew winter was there but, I never expected it to be so cold. Having days where the weather was minus 10, or when the highest was 23 degrees, really fascinated me.

When I arrived, I needed snow boots, a warmer jacket, mittens, and hats; things I had never had to use before.” she told me. “I had never been in a place as cold as Minnesota and, since Colombia is quite warm, when I arrived, most of the money I brought, I had to spend purchasing warmer jackets and scarves, since all of my regular clothes were intended for a warmer type of weather!”

When I asked her about what went through her mind at seeing students speaking Spanish, she told me that “Seeing students speaking Spanish makes me very happy because the fact that they try and work hard at learning a new language is very gratifying.” she added, “Overall, my experience as a teacher here in the U.S. has been amazing and I feel very happy teaching classes here. At first, I did find adjusting to life here in the U.S. difficult, not only because the food is different, but also because of the culture. In Colombia, we only speak Spanish but here, wherever you walk, you see people from different backgrounds and I find that very fascinating. The culture is definitely, one of the best things I have experienced here.”

Are You Prepared for the Apocalypse?

Posted by Cburke on December 12, 2012
Posted in: News, Opinion, Satire, Top Stories, Uncategorized.

The day we have all been dreading our entire lives is almost here, 12/21/12, the day the Mayans correctly predicted the world would end.  While the details of the events of this day are currently unknown, we can all be sure that it will end in the complete destruction of human society.

One theory is that a nuclear war will begin, starting a series of unavoidable events resulting in the world’s destruction.  Apocalypse expert Joe Martin, a graduate of the distinguished educational academy Murray Junior High School, explained the details of this theory to me.  “North Korea and Iran will launch a surprise nuclear attack” on Western civilization, an event clearly detailed on the Mayan Calendar, says Dr. Martin, who is believed to have seen the calendar with his own eyes.  The attack will trigger “a holy fire destroy all of the world’s cities” as punishment for the world’s sins.  The Mayans knew that “humans would grow incompetent of living together and would turn on each other” explains Dr. Martin.  While some people may disagree, Dr. Martin asserts that because the “Mayans made this apocalyptic prediction a long time ago it must be true,” challenging opponents to “prove [him] wrong.”

This theory is not the only interpretation of the Mayan Calendar.  Professor Jacob Cohen has committed 15 years of his life to researching this important event and offers a different account of what the Mayans knew would happen on 12/21/12.  Professor Cohen believes that a geomagnetic reversal will occur, “causing the Earth to implode then explode leaving a black hole where an alternate universe will be created where human civilization will start anew.”  Professor Cohen understands that “the Mayans were never wrong” and all the people who disregard their warning, are “ignorant and unprepared” to face “the end of this era” of human civilization and will  not be reincarnated along with the true believers. Professor Cohen encourages people to “meet him on the Jersey Shore if they want to be apart of the new world that is about to be created and avoid being destroyed with everyone else.

While some “scientists” and “historians” with “credentials” might believe that nothing will happen and these interpretations are false, I can assure you they are wrong.  Being unprepared to face the Apocalypse is the worst choice you could possibly make and the Mayan clearly explains through its faded ancient symbols that it is the end of the world, not simply the final date on this cycle of the calendar.  No scientist has ever conclusively proved that the world hasn’t been destroyed the previous 4 times the Mayan calendar has finished its cycle and is widely accepted that historical records were created to discredit the Mayans knowledge that the world ended in the 13th century BC.  I advise all of you to brace yourselves for Earth’s impending doom and do whatever you can to save yourself and your loved ones.

Phalen Lake’s Holiday Lights

Posted by Lingvang56 on November 30, 2012
Posted in: News.

Have you ever heard of the lights display at Phalen lake during December? Well if you haven’t, there is a lights show there all through the month. This event is called Holiday Lights, a yearly event that happens at Phalen Lake, St. Paul Minnesota before Christmas.

Everyone is invited to come to this event. All you need is a car, and $10 to drive through. You get the choice of driving through with your car, $15 per limo/passenger van/mini bus, $30 for a coach bus. This even is everyday from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm, November 20th to January 1st.

The Holiday Lights was started to raise charity for the community. The money raised goes to small businesses, families, neighborhoods, service organizations, churches, and sports teams. It also is an event to celebrate spending time with your loved ones.

No matter what reason you choose Holiday Lights is an event that you should go and see. You can go with a loved one, or by yourself. Its a nice way to spend time during the holidays.